Office of the Historian

793.94/2257

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Nanking to the Chinese Legation53

[Nanking,] October 14, 1931.

Please make official denial regarding starting direct negotiations with Japan.

Minister Tsiang only insisted on the immediate withdrawal of troops, made no proposal whatever, and absolutely refused to discuss any plan with the Japanese Foreign Office.

Also deny today’s Reuter report that one important Kuomintang member intimated to the Japanese Minister direct negotiations if the League fails.

In making these denials, please call attention to the fact that this is part of the Japanese propaganda designed to throw dust in the eyes of the world.

  1. Copy of telegram handed by the Chinese Chargé to Mr. Ransford S. Miller of the Division of Far Eastern Affairs on October 16, 1931.↩